Members of the European Committee of the Regions’ Green Deal Going Local (GDGL) Working Group are calling on EU institutions to ensure that the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034) fully integrates climate, energy and environmental priorities in a way that delivers tangible results across all territories. During a meeting in Brussels members stressed that the future EU budget must support a fair and place-based green transition, particularly in rural, mountain and small municipalities, where investment in climate action and resilience is essential for long-term security, competitiveness and job creation.
Climate, energy and environment in the MFF 2028–2034: views from regions, cities and rural areas
The debate on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) focused on ensuring that EU funding effectively supports the green transition across all territories, particularly rural and mountain areas.
Csaba Borboly, Vice-President of Harghita County, highlighted the realities of rural regions, stressing that the green transition must address even the most remote households: “For us, the green transition is not only about big grids and big industries. It is also about very small and very remote households.” He presented the example of Harghita County, where 52 isolated households were electrified using off-grid solar systems: “112 people now have reliable, clean power, and we avoid around 73 tonnes of CO₂ each year.” However, he pointed out a key gap in EU funding: “In the current MFF proposal there is no simple, dedicated instrument that small municipalities can use for such off-grid renewable projects.” He called for an accessible EU facility for small-scale renewable projects, with simplified procedures and a stronger role for local and regional authorities.
Åsa Wikström, Regional Councillor of Västerbotten, reinforced that climate investment is essential: “Investing in climate and resilience is not a cost… it is a prerequisite for our long-term security, competitiveness and new jobs.” She stressed the need to focus on implementation rather than new targets and highlighted that when cohesion policy works together with Horizon Europe, it leads to tangible results on the ground. She also underlined that the transition must be socially sustainable and address energy poverty.
Radim Sršen, Mayor of Dolní Studénky, highlighted the multiple challenges facing rural areas – from climate change and energy to demographic change and food security – and called for a multifaceted and integrated approach. He stressed the importance of better connecting urban and rural areas, developing tailor-made solutions, and improving methodologies and indicators used to measure progress.
Alberto Cirio, President of the Piemonte Region, called for a balanced and pragmatic approach, noting that territorial differences must be taken into account: “We need to strike a balance… and apply common sense and pragmatism to the green transition, without leaving the poorest pay for it.” He illustrated this with the example of air pollution challenges in Turin due to its geographical position.
Members also discussed the proposal for the Performance Framework Regulation. From a rural perspective, Csaba Borboly, Vice-President of Harghita County, welcomed the single framework and the 35% climate target but warned against a purely financial approach: “If we only track money at EU level, we may reach 35% on paper and still miss the territories most in need.” He called for place-based indicators, including: energy poverty in rural and mountain areas, climate risks such as floods and droughts, and the additional costs of protecting biodiversity and water resources. He stressed that without such indicators, “do no significant harm” and “climate resilience by design” risk remaining theoretical rather than practical tools for local authorities.
The CoR's Commission for Environment, Climate Change and Energy (ENVE) will adopt its draft opinion on the climate, environment and energy aspects of the next MFF at its next meeting on 22 April. The rapporteur is Rafal Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw.
GDGL Roadmap: from goals to implementation
The Working Group discussed the implementation of the GDGL Roadmap 2026–2027, focusing on how cities and regions can drive fair and sustainable economies in the long term. EPP-CoR members highlighted the need to strengthen cooperation with the JRC and expand access to its tools across all territories.
Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź, stressed that “the work of the JRC could be extended also to cities, as well as towns and small villages as they have no capacities, financial means or technical knowledge to implement innovative policies on the ground.” She underlined the importance of making better use of JRC tools and reinforcing cooperation between territories.
Åsa Wikström, Regional Councillor of Västerbotten, welcomed the role of the JRC in supporting climate neutrality and innovation, but emphasised inclusiveness: “We cannot leave anyone behind… not only regions and big cities, but also small municipalities that often lack support to advance their climate policies.” She called for the development of local innovation ecosystems, bringing together local and regional authorities, SMEs, universities, research centres and citizens, and highlighted the importance of public-private cooperation to scale both technological and nature-based solutions.
Markku Markkula, Chair of the GDGL Working Group, highlighted the importance of knowledge exchange, EU Missions and enhanced cooperation with the JRC to accelerate progress towards climate neutrality.